Depending on where the school board settles on how much to raise property taxes, the district could still be facing an operating deficit of $400,000 to $1 million.

That means cutting into programs that could directly affect kids — and that has parents concerned.

On Monday, following its regularly scheduled board meeting, the school board met with parents to talk about what cuts might yet have to be made.

They include field trips, afterschool student-enrichment programs, unfilled staff positions, the fourth-grade music program and possibly athletics.

Brian Palmer has two children in the district, both of whom are involved in music. One of them, he said, is also involved in an afterschool program for children at risk. “Homework for him is a constant battle,” Palmer said. “So for him to be able to do that at school is wonderful.”

But that program costs about $15,000 and is among a group of programs that might be cut.

Allison Crouse has a daughter who has been dancing since the age of 3. This year, she competed in regional and national competitions. Next year, her daughter was planning on attending the Capital Area School for the Arts in Harrisburg, one of three students from the district. But CASA is on the chopping block. She’s hoping that doesn’t happen.

That means that depending on the size of the tax increase, the district is anticipating a deficit of $400,000 to $1 million.

The district assesses property owners 16.99 mils — about 10 percent less than the average among Dauphin County school districts, the district said. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 at which the property assessed.

Under state law, the Derry Township district’s maximum tax increase for 2011-2012 is 1.3 percent. This spring, the district applied for and received approval for a few exemptions, allowing for as much as a 3.1 percent increase.

A 3.1 percent property tax increase would mean the owner of property assessed at $150,000 would pay $79 more in taxes. The same homeowner now pays $2,549. But even if the district would increase its taxes by that amount, it would still face about a $400,000 deficit.

Which means school board members will have to make difficult decisions in the weeks ahead.

Pennsylvania school districts have until the end of June to adopt final budgets.

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